13 Reasons Why You’re OK – A Playlist

May 16, 2017

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Art by Chris De Vera

Sometimes the words “it gets better” are difficult to hear amid the hubbub of homophobia. You’ve got society’s hateful clamor or the church’s forbidding voice telling you that who you are—much more, who you love—is wrong.

In putting this playlist of 13 songs together, TEAM found that the right music can lend an ear and give a voice, be it to a kid in the closet or a young kween desperate to embrace the femme within. For the gays we’ve sourced these tracks from, a song can be a savior and through enough listens, a lifeline.

From here, you might just find your anthem. You’ll know it’s the right one when it affirms who you are. When over the noise of judgment that surrounds you, you can hear your truth loud and clear.

“Freedom ‘90” by George Michael – “My song would have to be GEORGE MICHAEL’S FREEDOM ’90 because it is a celebration of IDENTITY and self-worth and to date the most Liberating song I have ever invested my emotions in. It’s the best fuck-off to homophobia, transphobia and biphobia because in the immortal words of George: “All we have to see / Is that I don’t belong to you / And you don’t belong to me FREEDOM!!!”” — Kim Galanza, DJ

“Feeling Good” by Nina Simone – “How can anyone not feel empowered as Nina Simone declares to the whole world, from the heavenly bodies to the creatures of Earth, just how good she’s feeling? She takes a hold of her newfound freedom and sings about the new day with a hopefulness that sounds strong, even grand. In a world that oppresses people like us, we need that exact sense of steadfastness and confidence.” — JL Javier, Photographer

“Marry The Night” by Lady Gaga – “It’s about not giving up and having courage to fight for yourself, for your own. The first few lines, “I’m gonna marry the night, i won’t give up on my life, i’m a warrior queen, live passionately tonight. I’m gonna marry the dark, gonna make love in this dark, i’m a soldier to my own emptiness, i’m a winner.” Alam mo na agad na it’s a song about being stronger and just fuck all that comes to your way.” — Vin Quilop, Art Director

“Brave” by Sara Bareilles – “It takes courage to come out. Whenever I hear this song, I just love being gay more and more each day!” — Carl Chavez, Filmmaker

“Tiger” by Paula Cole – “Been listening to that song since I discovered it through my sister when I was in early High School. Sheer poetry, and that chant-y vocal is just gripping.” —Mikhail Quijano, Leather goods craftsman

“Want You Back” by Haim – “Hard to deny is how this new Haim single sashays gracefully, through repetitions, splendid spit of syllables, and luminous melodies, the glee the sisters often achieve in their songs by shrugging off after a difficult confession. But it is the apology and articulation of action at the center that makes it empowered and empowering, the courage and nerve to ask forgiveness, the boldness to say “I’ll take the fall and the fault in us, I’ll give you all the love I never gave before I left you” and commit to it.” — Richard Bolisay, Film Reviewer

“Queen” by Perfume Genius – “Mike Hadreas had always made it seem like it was okay to be so, so terribly gay, sashaying away. And that, no one else should give a fuck but you. My spirit animal all the way.” — Petersen Vargas, Filmmaker

“Warm Water” by BANKS Snakehips Remix – “Basically the song that always plays in my head when properly drunk, dancing, and trying to flirt with someone. Hahahaha.” — Mikhail Quijano

“Free Your Mind” by En Vogue – “To me, this track serves as a reminder that we as a society need to work on strengthening our appreciation for vastly different backgrounds. By eliminating assumptions & labels, we can then more accurately begin to understand one another. “Free your mind and the rest will follow.” I also love this song because it’s perfect for whenever I feel like practicing my catwalk.” — Jodinand Aguillon, Executive Director at Pineapple Lab

“I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” by George Michael and Aretha Franklin – “Ah, dear George finally fulfilling his dream of singing with one of his heroes. Unintimidated, he lets Aretha do her thing. Commanding as ever, she takes George under her wing, sings sweetly to him. Both divas are impeccable, enjoying every second of it, and the result is one of pop’s brightest, most touching moments.” — Richard Bolisay

“I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor – “Gloria Gaynor’s disco hit is an essential in any gay boy’s power playlist. I feel like a big part of our anxiety in the LGBT+ community stems from a fear of being abandoned for being misunderstood or unaccepted. This song is a reminder of how at those moments, we have ourselves to fall back to—and we can profess it on the dance floor. “As long as I know how to love, I know I’ll stay alive.” — JL Javier

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About Team

TEAM tackles how gay Filipino men relate their identity, from fuckups to fantasies, to where to go for music you can actually dance to. We may not have proper rights in our country but we’re claiming some authority by getting our words and ideas on page. And though we lack public places to convene, an open publication (and wide-open digital space) is a good place to start.